Minneapolis wakes up on the chilly side Thursday, June 18, 2026, with clouds hanging on and temperatures near 57°F (14°C) at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Clouds are expected to give way to mostly sunny skies this afternoon with a high around 71°F, although a steady northwest breeze will keep it feeling cooler. Tonight should stay mostly clear, with temperatures dipping to a low near 52°F.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By midday and into the afternoon, northwest winds will ramp up, generally between 0 and 15 mph with gusts around 20 mph, which is enough to flip an unsecured patio umbrella or rattle a light canopy. That breeze will make the evening commute feel windier than the air temperature suggests, especially on exposed river crossings. According to the National Weather Service, mixing in the midday hours will favor those gustier conditions.
Juneteenth Plans: Watch The Afternoon Window
Friday, June 19, 2026 (Juneteenth) brings the best shot at showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon between about 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., with overall chances near 70 percent and storms becoming likely later in the day. Forecasters also note a marginal chance for isolated hail and damaging straight-line winds in any stronger storms, so organizers are urged to have a rain-and-wind plan ready for outdoor events. The City of Minneapolis lists multiple Juneteenth celebrations across town; time-sensitive activities may be better scheduled for the morning or moved to Saturday if that is an option.
Weekend Outlook
Showers are expected to taper Friday night, setting up a drier Saturday with a high near 76°F and lighter northwest breezes. Sunday looks partly sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s, and forecast models indicate temperatures should creep back toward normal levels next week. If you are planning anything outdoors through Monday or Tuesday, it is worth keeping an eye on forecast updates.
If you have outdoor plans on Friday, secure tents and loose items ahead of time and make sure there is an indoor fallback option. Check the latest forecasts before you head out and be ready to shift your schedule if radar shows storms tracking across the metro.
